Tourists ecstatic as Shimla gets first snowfall of season

Shimla, February 1

Finally, Shimla received the first snowfall of the season today, sending both locals and tourists into frenzy of joy and excitement. The Shimla city had last received snowfall two years back. “We have experienced our first snowfall and we are enjoying a lot. Shimla is our favourite destination,” said a couple from Sriganganagar. Several tourists and locals danced at the Ridge in the midst of the snowfall.

Meanwhile, snowfall and rainfall continued elsewhere in other parts of the state. As per the State Disaster Management Authority, 411 roads, including six national highways, have been blocked and 1,506 distribution transformers are disrupted. Most roads (139) are blocked in Lahaul and Spiti district, followed by the districts of Shimla (88) and Kullu (67). As for the distribution transformers, 704 have been disrupted in Mandi, 397 in Kullu and 237 in Lahaul and Spiti.

Heavy snowfall has been reported in the Chirgaon area of Rohru subdivision. According to the locals, around two feet snow has been recorded at places on way to Chanshal. “We have had a good snowfall in places at higher altitude and a good rainfall in lower areas. After such a prolonged dry spell, the precipitation is nothing short of a blessing for the apple growers,” said Sanjeev Thakur, president, Chuwara Apple Valley Society.

As per the Weather Department, the precipitation will reduce in night and the weather is expected to be dry in most parts of the state tomorrow. However, the intensity and distribution of the precipitation is likely to increase on February 3-4 as another Western Disturbance is on the way. The Weather Department has issued yellow alert for February 3-4.